Govt hails ‘outstanding decision by parliament’

The government hailed the passage of the electoral reforms package in a joint session of parliament on Wednesday, with President Arif Alvi terming it an “outstanding decision by parliament” towards eliminating any controversies about the election results in the future.

Several federal ministers also congratulated the nation, saying that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had fulfilled its promise of ensuring free and fair elections in the country. They particularly felicitated the 9 million overseas Pakistanis on getting the right to vote in the elections.

“Outstanding decision by parliament finally,” Alvi tweeted. “I have been a proponent for technology both for EVMs & Overseas Pakistanis voting. Controversy is partially because of fear of miscarriage. Now it is up to ECP to issue specifications at the earliest so that 2023 is a fair election.”

In a separate tweet, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the approval of the use of electronic voting machines for stopping rigging in elections and for legislation related to public welfare was a clear proof of complete confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He congratulated the PTI lawmakers and thanked the allied parties for the historic legislation passed in the joint session. He also felicitated the overseas Pakistanis for getting the right to vote. “Overseas Pakistanis are our most precious asset and their demand for right to vote is very just,” he said.

“Today Tehreek I Insaf under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan fulfilled another important promise made in its manifesto,” he added. Qureshi’s views were echoed in the tweet of Federal Minister Murad Saeed. “Imran Khan fulfilled his promises of making electoral process transparent,” he said.

Also read: PTI wins support of allies on electoral reforms: Fawad

Talking to media outside Parliament House, Information Minister Chaudhry said that the passage of the bills related to the use of EVMs and grant of right to vote to overseas Pakistanis had proved once again that PTI was the largest party of the country, having broad-based support of the masses.

“The Majlis-e-Shoora has passed unprecedented legislation [and] passed the bills linked the basic rights of citizens and [laid] foundation of free and fair elections,” the minister told reporters. He thanked the coalition partners for extending support to the government.

The minister said that i-voting system would be introduced for the Pakistanis living abroad. “The legislation [on Wednesday] will help protect the rights of women and children. Special courts for women and children will be set up,” he added.

Criticising the opposition leadership, Chaudhry said that the opposition leaders were political dwarfs.

“Those considering to move a no-confidence motion against the government, should have second thought about their assessments,” he added.

Planning Minister Asad Umar mocked the opposition, saying that they raised a lot of noise during past many weeks about the downfall of the government. National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also hailed the passage of the new legislation.